似ている
nite iru
The phrase "you look like" in Japanese is translated as 似ている (nite iru).
This phrase is used to express that someone or something has a similar appearance to another person or thing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the phrase polite for use with strangers or superiors, change 似ている to 似ています.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 似ている is the continuous state form, which is the standard way to express a permanent or long-term resemblance.
How do you pronounce it?
nite iru
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the simple dictionary form 似る to mean "looks like", but 似ている is the natural way to describe the ongoing state of looking like someone.
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, telling someone they look like a specific animal can be a risky social move, as some animals carry negative connotations that 'look like' doesn't convey in English.
- Japanese has a specific word, 似顔絵, which combines the root of 似ている with 'face' and 'picture' to mean a caricature or a portrait based on a likeness.
- While 似ている describes physical appearance, it is also used to say two people have similar personalities or tastes, which English usually distinguishes with 'they are alike'.
Examples in context
- あなたはお母さんに似ている。You look like your mother.This sentence is useful for showing how to say someone looks like their mother using 似ている.Tatoeba #2599305 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #1934858 by Spamster
- ご両親のどちらに似ていると思いますか。Which of your parents do you think you look like?This sentence is useful for asking which parent someone thinks they look like using 似ている.Tatoeba #216980 by bunbuku, translation #1338956 by CK
- 彼（かれ）に少（すこ）し似（に）ている（います）。You look a little bit like him.
- 彼（かれ）にとても似（に）ている（います）。You look very much like him.
- 彼は有名な俳優に似ている。Kare wa yuumei na haikyuu ni nite iru.He looks like a famous actor.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Yota are looking at a photo of their grandfather.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、おじいちゃんに似ているね。Yōta, ojiichan ni nite iru ne.Yota, you look like Grandpa.
- 陽太 Yota本当？どこが似ているの？Hontō? Doko ga nite iru no?Really? How do I look like him?
- 陽葵 Himari目がすごく似ているよ。Me ga sugoku nite iru yo.Your eyes look very similar.
- 陽太 Yotaそうかもね。Sō kamo ne.Maybe so.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
